%D 2022
%L theses_frw4087
%A Maaike A. Buser
%X Increasing the sustainability and liveability of urban centres has become a challenge for cities in Europe. Urban logistics is one of the sectors that significantly contributes to negative externalities since it contributes to CO2 emissions, noise pollution, and traffic congestion. Cities are therefore developing a long-term policy strategy to make their urban logistics system more sustainable. However, the urban logistics sector demonstrates to be a dynamic industry where a diverse network of stakeholders, technological advancements, and a drive for sustainability lead to complexity making the policy field prone to uncertainties.

According to academic literature, the relatively new field of policy faces knowledge and resource gaps that make it difficult for local policymakers to understand the complex logistics system in their cities. By addressing the question of how local policymakers in European cities deal with the uncertainties of long-term planning for sustainable urban logistics, this study attempts to analyse the first steps for addressing uncertainties in policy-making.

With the help of a qualitative research design, the results of this study indicate that local policymakers are aware of the complexity of urban logistics systems and the uncertainties that surround this policy field. Combining the data from the literature review, the questionnaire and the semi-structured interviews, the findings reveal that local policymakers make use of four exploration techniques in order to create an understanding of the uncertainty types and their consequences. Furthermore, the results show that organisational support, resources and inspiration can boost the strategies of local policymakers for dealing with uncertainties. This study concludes that the current political culture and institutional procedures restrict local policymakers in incorporating uncertainties in their policy plans, making room for flexibility and time essential in the transition toward sustainable urban logistics.
%T Planning with uncertainties: an explorative research on policy-making for sustainable urban logistics